Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of Oklahoma

Notice was given that the State of Oklahoma is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision Program. Oklahoma has adopted an Arsenic Rule, Radionuclides Rule, Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, Public Notification Rule, Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions and a revised Public Water Supply Definition.

- The Arsenic Rule is adopted to improve public health by reducing the maximum contaminant level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 micrograms/Liter to 10 mg/L.

- The Radionuclides Rule is adopted to improve public health protection and reduce the risk of cancer by reducing the exposure to radionuclides in drinking water.

- The Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule will improve control of microbial pathogens, specifically the protozoan Cryptosporidium, in drinking water and address risk trade-offs with disinfection byproducts.

- The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule is adopted to further protect public health by requiring public water systems, where needed, to institute changes to the return of recycle flows to a plant's treatment process that may otherwise compromise microbial control.

- The Public Notification Rule is adopted to notify the public anytime a water system violates national primary drinking water regulations or has other situations posing a risk to public health.

- The Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions will eliminate unnecessary requirements, streamline and reduce reporting burden, and promote consistent national implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule.

- Finally, the revised Public Water Supply Definition will now include other constructed conveyances.

EPA has determined that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve these program revisions.

All interested parties may request a public hearing. A request for a public hearing must be submitted by September 24, to the regional administrator at the EPA Region 6.